A recent Public Utilities Commission (PUC) ruling threw a big wrench in Hawaiian Electric Company’s (HECO) Big Wind plans, forcing HECO to consider alternative energy proposals. According to the ruling, proposals must be for 200 megawatts of renewable energy, but need not be focused on wind. So while HECO has been forced to pause and [...]
On average, Kahului, Maui enjoys approximately 276 days of sun per year. Not far behind, Honolulu, Oahu sees about 271 days of sun while Lihue, Kauai receives 240, and Hilo, Hawaii, 168. Given these numbers, it is no surprise that businesses and residents of the Aloha state are looking increasingly toward solar power for energy. [...]
In an effort to reach the goals set by the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative, it can be expected that sacrifices must be made by all residents to reduce our energy consumption. We must do our part to change our habits and become energy aware. Turning off the AC, carpooling, and replacing incandescent light bulbs with [...]
Through its Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative, Hawaiian Legacy Hardwoods (HLH) is donating 1,000 acres of its 2,700 acre sustainable koa project to reforestation. Located on the slopes of Mauna Kea, this historic site was once a majestic koa forest and the personal property of King Kamehameha I. Sadly the land was cleared nearly a century [...]
Think Waikiki is overdeveloped? It’s about to undergo even more development, if Kyo-Ya Hotels and Resorts has its way. The Waikiki hotel property giant has proposed a $1 billion development project that would demolish two small hotel buildings, add a tower to Princess Kaiulani hotel, and replace the eight-story Diamond Head Tower at their Moana [...]
On Friday, February 25, 2011, the state Board of Land and Natural Resources unanimously approved California-based Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) Observatory Corp’s plan to construct the largest telescope in the world atop Mauna Kea. Residents of Hawaii are anything but unanimous in their feelings on the construction of the massive telescope. Some fast facts on [...]
The old debate is back with a twist: Paper or Plastic or The Planet If you go to the grocery store on Maui or Kauai, don’t be surprised if the clerk doesn’t offer you a plastic bag at checkout. He’s not being lazy or discourteous. He’s following the law and saving the planet. The “plastic [...]
Part of staying connected to the planet, and being a responsible guardian of it, is maintaining a healthy relationship with it and respecting the other inhabitants of it. One person who has epitomized this lifestyle is Franklin Levinson, the Horse Whisperer. Levinson’s life work has focused on creating, and teaching others to have, strong bonds [...]
I’ve been helping people market their Hawaii vacation companies before most people knew what a search engine was. Back in the day, we used to: Put ads in magazines. Send snail mail out to previous customers. Advertise in phone books. Create four color pamphlets to leave at airport baggage claims. You name it, we did [...]
In my recent post, “Hawaii resorts looking to save energy by turning of the air conditioning“, I discussed 2 resorts using a technology that turned off air conditioning when you left your room. Then a reader commented asking, “Why do these resorts even need air conditioning?”. It’s true, this is Hawaii and median temperatures are [...]